Apparatus for cleaning artificial eyelashes and method

ABSTRACT

A method and means for cleaning artificial eyelashes wherein the eyelash is mounted by its root strip on a curved surface by a clamp with the lash hairs exposed and extending therefrom along said surface, the lash hairs then being cleaned by washing. Thereafter, the clamp, which is perforated and rotatably connected to the cylindrical surface, is raised, rotated over the artificial eyelash, and then closed over it to retain same in the desired contour for drying.

United States Patent [151 3,645,277 McCarthy [451 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR CLEANING 2,156,948 5/1939 Kayn et al. ..132/31 R ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES AND 2,249,315 7/1941 Laskaris ....132/41 C METHOD 2,924,225 2/1960 Freeman.. ....132/34 R 3,173,429 3/1965 Pauldine ..l32/33 R Inventor: Kathleen McCarthy, 15581 Crescentwood, East Detroit, Mich. 48021 Filed: Jan. 5, 1970 Appl. No.: 688

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Behr ..l32/33 R Primary Examiner-Russel R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-J. N. Eskovitz Attorney-Mason, Mason & Albright [5 7] ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDraazs m2 FIG. 3

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FIG. 5

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APPARATUS FOR CLEANING ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to artificial eyelashes, used as a beauty aid, which comprise a backing strip and a plurality of eyelash strands extending therefrom. Such eyelashes, due to their size, pliancy and configuration, present a cleaning problem which is often aggravated by the presence of mascara on the artificial eyelashes. Moreover, if artificial eyelashes are cleaned with a liquid, which is generally preferably for thorough cleaning, they are likely to dry in a misshapen condition. The object of this invention is thus to provide a means and method which overcomes both of these problems and at the same time to provide a device which is compact, lightweight inexpensive, and simple and easy to use by women.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above problems are solved by provision of a curved mandrel with a clamp whereby the backing strip is first secured between the mandrel and the clamp and the plurality of eyelash strands extending therefrom are scrubbed, washed, rinsed and brushed into shape using the mandrel as a backing surface. The clamp is then lifted and rotated relative to the surface of the mandrel and clamped over the plurality of eyelash strands so that such strands are secured in the desired curved configuration while they dry on the mandrel.

Other objects, adaptabilities and capabilities will appear as the description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken on section lines III III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the device opposite of that shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the mandrel member in cluded in the device shown in the previous Figures;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-4 without the mandrel member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side elevational view of the modification shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on lines IX IX of FIG 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the device of the invention includes a cylindrical mandrel 10 and a clamp means 11 which is mounted on a plug 12 through a hinge means designated generally 14. With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 it will be noted that hinge means 14 comprises a U-shaped bracket 15 which grasps the rear portion of the plug 12 and has journaled therein at its upper portion a pin 16 hingeably receiving clamp means 11. The U-shaped bracket 15 incorporates a flat connecting piece 27 against which the ends of a spring 17 bear. The spring '17 resiliently biases clamp means 11 in a closed position against mandrel 10. Clamp means 11 is provided with a plurality of apertures 20 to facilitate drying the artificial eyelash 21 held thereunder as shown in FIG. 1. Artificial eyelash 21 is made up of a root strip 22 and a plurality of eyelash strands 24.

In FIG. 3, the position of clamped means 11, when raised, is shown in dot dash lines. It can be so raised by squeezing the plastic handle 25 thereof downwardly towards the plastic gripping extension 26 which extends rearwardly from the plug 12.

Plug 12 includes an annular raised portion 31 and a longitudinal slot 30 which permits the plug 12 to be inserted in the mandrel 10. A circular groove 32 in mandrel 10 receives portion 31. Plug 12 is composed of a material, preferably plastic, which is sufficiently resilient to permit its insertion in mandrel 10. It will thus be appreciated that mandrel 10 with portion 31 received in groove 32 is rotatably mounted on plug 12 and is also rotatable with reference to the clamp means 11. A knob portion 34 is included in the end of the mandrel 10 to facilitate such rotation.

In practice, an eyelash which is in need of cleaning, is placed on the mandrel 10 and clamp means 1 1 is rotated so as to secure the artificial eyelash 21 by the root against mandrel 10 as indicated in dot dash lines 35 in FIG. 2. The eyelash strands 24 then are washed and rinsed in place against mandrel 10. The individual strands or groups of strands are next arranged against mandrel 10 by brushing or otherwise as desired. Clamp means 11 is then raised by squeezing the plastic handle 25 towards the gripping extension 26. Next it is rotated relative to mandrel 10 by simply holding knob portion 34 with the other hand and performing the rotary operation so that clamp means 11 is brought above the artificial eyelash as shown in FIG. 1 whereupon the clamp is permitted again to close against mandrel 10 and the entire apparatus with eyelash 21 so clamped is set aside for drying.

It will be appreciated that, if desired, mandrel 10, plug 12 and clamp means 11 can be elongated so as to accommodate two artificial eyelashes at the same time.

FIGS. 7-9 show another embodiment of the invention having a clamp 40 which is received by a mandrel 41 and has attached thereto a cylindrical plug 42 which conforms to the interior diameter of the mandrel 41. Clamp 40 includes a lower portion 44 and an upper portion 45 resiliently connected by a hinge 46 which includes resilient means such as a Vshaped plate spring 47 adapted to close the upper portion 45 against the outer surface of the mandrel 41. However, by squeezing portions 44 and 45 together on the right-hand side as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left-hand side 54 of the portion 45 raises as shown in dot dash lines in FIGS. 8. Portion 44 of clamp 40 includes on its left-hand, as seen in FIG. 8, a hook part 50 which is received by a groove 52 in mandrel 41 to prevent longitudinal movement between clamp 40 and mandrel 41 while at the same time permitting rotational movement between these parts. As in the previous embodiment, a knob portion 51 is included at the end of the mandrel 41 and extends beyond the clamp 40. Portion 54 which extends over the mandrel 41 includes a plurality of apertures 56 which are provided for the purpose of drying the eyelash 21 which may underlie same.

The modification shown in FIGS. 79 isoperated in the same manner as described with reference to the preceding embodiment.

Although I have described preferred embodiments in my invention, it will be understood that it is capable of other adaptations and modifications not specifically set forth in the foregoing specification.

I claim:

I. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device which comprises:

a mandrel which is curved to conform to the desired profile for an artificial eyelash;

clamp means including a portion which is curved to correspond to part of the surface of said mandrel and to extend over an area thereof sufficient to cover an artificial eyelash;

mounting means rotatably interconnecting said clamp means and said mandrel whereby said clamp means is selectively rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel, said mounting means including connective means thereon and coacting with said mandrel for restricting relative longitudinal movement, but allowing relative rotational movement between said clamp means and said mandrel; and

hinge means in said clamp means including resilient means resiliently biasing said portions against said surface part of said mandrel;

mounting means comprises a plug rotatably retained within said mandrel.

5. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said hinge means is located proximate one end of said mandrel and a gripping surface is provided on the other end of said mandrel.

6. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said plug comprises an elongated cylinder which conforms to the interior of said mandrel. 

1. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device which comprises: a mandrel which is curved to conform to the desired profile for an artificial eyelash; clamp means including a portion which is curved to correspond to part of the surface of said mandrel anD to extend over an area thereof sufficient to cover an artificial eyelash; mounting means rotatably interconnecting said clamp means and said mandrel whereby said clamp means is selectively rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel, said mounting means including connective means thereon and coacting with said mandrel for restricting relative longitudinal movement, but allowing relative rotational movement between said clamp means and said mandrel; and hinge means in said clamp means including resilient means resiliently biasing said portions against said surface part of said mandrel; whereby said portion is adapted first to clamp the root strip of an artificial eyelash against said mandrel for cleaning and thereafter to be rotated for holding the artificial eyelash in its desired profile.
 2. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said portion is perforated.
 3. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mandrel is cylindrical in shape.
 4. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said mandrel is hollow and said mounting means comprises a plug rotatably retained within said mandrel.
 5. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said hinge means is located proximate one end of said mandrel and a gripping surface is provided on the other end of said mandrel.
 6. An artificial eyelash cleaning and drying device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said plug comprises an elongated cylinder which conforms to the interior of said mandrel. 